Twenty20
Let’s face it: We all would love to quit our day jobs, have minimal responsibilities, and have plenty of time to workout and run. Most of us don’t have that luxury, and even if we did, it is probably not as glamorous as it sounds.
We all face external challenges to get workouts in, whether it’s the weather, work hours, life hours, or just not enough time in the day. You make time for priorities, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do!
1) Weather
Do you live in the Northeast? Was this winter one of the coldest, most icy, and longest winters we have had in a while? As someone who lives in New Jersey, I can attest that there were many days I just did not want to get out the door. It was dark, windy, and cold. Even after going to college in Upstate New York, I struggled to get out the door this winter!
How did I beat it?
- Some days I ran inside. I never have shame running on the treadmill. If I am safer and happier inside, so be it!
- I invested in a weatherproof jacket. Yes, I might have taken out a mortgage for a wind and rain proof jacket, but on days it was 40 degrees and pouring rain, I was fine!
- I reminded myself: I’ll feel better when I’m done and I did.
This isn’t the first season I’ve lived in miserable conditions. I went to college in upstate NY and spent a summer in Texas. Severe weather comes and goes anywhere you live!
2) Not enough time
Sometimes there isn’t enough time in the day. It’s important to remember not to compare yourself to others. Social media can be the thief of joy. Some people choose to wake up at 4 am to run…that doesn’t mean you have to!
How did I beat it?
- The easiest way is to get up earlier. For me, I shut off my technology around 9 pm. Life gets hectic, and I try to get my run in the morning. That way I don’t have to think about squeezing a run in sometime throughout the day.
- Consider two short runs. Don’t double every day but maybe doing 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening is much easier than running an hour at once. Don’t be afraid to be creative.
- Do you. Many training plans call for a long run on Sundays but if Tuesdays are a better long run day for you, so be it. As someone who works in retail, I work most weekends which aren’t the easiest days to squeeze in long runs!
3) Running is boring
It’s natural to be bored or feel stale if you do the same thing every day. Last year, I burned out from running and took 4 months off. Running doesn’t always have to be boring, and there are many ways to overcome that!
How did I beat It?
Beating boredom with running could be a thousand word post in itself because there are so many different ways!
- Choose activities you like. If you don’t enjoy something, don’t do it. I don’t enjoy cycling, so I don’t. Whether it’s running or not, find activities that you like doing!
- Run at different places, on different surfaces, and with different people. Changing it up is the spice of life. Don’t run at the same time, on the same route if you can avoid it. By changing scenery, even occasionally, you’ll keep things interesting.
- Join a group or find friends. Sometimes running with friends, or new people is precisely what you need. It can bring back the excitement in running again. Don’t be afraid to run with a new group. Many local running stores have group runs to meet new people!
- Try new things. Who knows you might really love it! You might get into a group fitness class or a new workout. When I got stale from running a few years ago, I tried hiking and it made me realize how much I enjoyed hiking and slowing things down!
4) I’m too lazy
People assume because I’m a running blogger, I want to run all the time. There are some days that I don’t and I feel lazy. The thought of running sends me back to bed for a nap.
How do I beat it?
- Set expectations. Some weeks I’m busy, and it’s impossible to think I can run more than half an hour. My running is dependent on my schedule, and I set expectations for the week, not the ideal week!
- Schedule your workout. I started making my workouts an appointment that I wouldn’t schedule other events and activities during. Once I started doing that, I didn’t have as many excuses!
We all have external factors and struggles to overcome! What are some struggles you face and how do you overcome them?
Hollie Sick is an avid runner who’s completed more than 40 half marathons. Read her blog, or follow her on Facebook.
